Thursday, September 25, 2008

Brainiac remain one of the most original and interesting groups of the past decade (+ change) -- a synth/punk/experimental headtrip whose music was stopped short after the death of lead singer/guitarist/keyboard player Tim Taylor.

I never fully "got" Brainiac until listening to 'Bonsai Superstar' during a night's drive with a grandfather clock laying/chiming in my backseat -- long story short, the band has become carved into my mind and appreciated daily.

Brainiac might not be for everyone (or might just take time to grow), but I urge anyone who hasn't heard give them a try -- truly one of the more innovative bands.

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

King Cobb Steelie formed in Ontario during the early nineties, birthing a hybrid sound of punk, funk, jazz, and dance.

'Destroy All Codes' is the latest full-length from the group (2004), a bass-tunneling groove with tightly-crafted guitar and percussive bombast throughout.

My appreciation of this album grows with each listen -- the production is crisp, the beats are smooth, and the chilled atmospheric vibes often give-way for monumental, dense builds. Great album for relaxing or tearing up your momma's rug.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Aceyalone has had some spikes in quality over the years, but his sophomore solo album, 'A Book of Human Language' belongs in the hip-hop Bible. The album is a concept album that plays out like a book, divided into individual chapters (including a Forward/Contents/Afterward) with Aceyalone poetically soaring over jazzy loops at the hands of longtime collaborator Mumbles.

Simply nothing to fault this album for -- Aceyalone explores the depth of every track and elevates them to something timeless. Case & point:

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Medications are a 3-piece rock group, stemming primarily from Faraquet with members Devin Ocampo (guitar/vox) and Chad Molter (bass). Anyone versed in Faraquet knows this band was almost guaranteed to be good, and with the addition of drummer Andrew Becker, Medications were complete. Becker has since left the band however, more or less leaving Medications on hiatus.

'Your Favorite People All In One Place', produced by Brendan Canty of Fugazi, is the band's only released full-length. Much like Faraquet, expect lots of effortless time changes, a swift rhythm-section, and all the bells and whistles (not literally). Highly recommend checking both bands out.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

David Eugene Edwards is one of the more interesting and talented artists; his works are booming with soulful, honest lyrics and a powerful voice to match. I first heard David Eugene with his work in 16 Horsepower -- a gritty, country-tinged band coated in the often dark presence of David Eugene's voice.

Woven Hand has become David Eugene's "solo" project -- collaborating with other musicians/ex-members of 16 Horsepower. His latest release, 'Ten Stones', might be my favorite release yet, continuing the Woven Hand tradition of effortlessly evoking emotion from the listener by means of David Eugene himself and the collective sound of Woven Hand.

Overall just an honest and prolific musician...highly recommend digging deeper through past Woven Hand/16 Horsepower releases if you like what you hear.